Newman's Own Foundation recently announced it's providing $4 million in grants to 40 nutrition programs throughout the next two years, and it has already allocated $1 million in 2012.

Nutrition is one of the primary focuses of the foundation, which was established by late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman in 1982. The other three areas include empowerment, children with life-limiting conditions and encouraging philanthropy. Since the foundation's inception, it has provided charities across the world with $350 million.

"We are inspired by the dynamic and creative approaches that are growing in the nonprofit sector," said Lisa Walker, managing director of Newman's Own Foundation. "The foundation's work in this arena is intended to increase the momentum that is building around the country to help create more delicious and healthy choices."

Grant recipients include Wholesome Wave, a program that supplies New England farmers with seed funding to increase the production of locally grown nutritious foods. People's Grocery in Oakland, California, also received funding to develop new projects that improve access to quality food items through income-generating projects.

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